Wire-stretcher



(Model.)

W. D. SHERMAN..

WIRE STRETGHBR.

No. 353,383. Patented Nov. 30, 1886.

Il lill' lumi N TERS. Plmlolhhognphen Wnshingion, D4 C,

hUNiTnD STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIS D. SHERMAN, 0F DIXGN, ILLINOIS.

WIRE-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 353,383, dated November 30, 1886.

Application filed October 1, 1885. Serial No. 178,750. (Model.)

To all whom it may concern:

4Be it known that I, WILLIS D. SHERMAN, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Dixon, in the county of Lee and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wire-Stretchers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention has reference to machines for tightening fence-wire, and pertains more especially to certain novel mechanism for conveniently and forcibly tightening such wire.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a rear viewof the same. Fig. 3 is a section on the line x x in Fig. 2.

A is the main plate, provided with the link B and hook c as a means of attachment to fixed objects. The plate A is formed of the two parts A and A, to permit the placing in position ofthe other devices. The parts A and A2 have formed thereon the abutting fianges a, and are held together by means of bolts b, passed perpendicularly through such flanges.

l) is a shaft journaled at each end in the projected ends A3 of the plate A, and is furnished with a circular plate, D, to prevent the draft-rope coiling against the plate A.

C is a gear-Wheel, pivoted loosely on the shaft D, and adapted to be actuated by the worm E, formed on the shaft F.

The shaft F is seated pivotally in the parts A and A2 of the plate A, and is held in place by the gear C, and is furnished with the crank` G. A lug, H, is formed on the shaft D, and a dog, J, is pivoted on the side of the gear C in such relation to said rlug as to be readily turned into engagement therewith, in which position the rotation of the gear imparts arotary motion to the shaft D. A rope or chain, K, is suitably attached at one end to the shaft D, and at the other end to the wire to be drawn. y

It is obvious that the turning of the crank G will cause the worin E to rotate the gear C, and by means of the leverage exerted both through such crank and gear cause the shaft D to rotate with great force and exert an immense drawing power on the wire through the medium of the rope or chain K. When 4a sufficient degree of tautness has been attained and the wire fastened, a slight tap on the free end of the dog J will throw the latter ont of engagement with the lug Hon the shaft D, and by grasping the rope K it can be easily unreeled, the long end of the dog J holding the same out of engagement by its weight.

The device is portable and convenient, and is operative in any position.

The worm E acts as a lock upon the gea C, and at all times when the'dog J is in engagement with the lng H will hold the wire faut Without the interposition of ratchets.

The immense leverage exerted through the crank G results in a very slow Winding upon the shaft D, and4 to expedite such winding in the earlier stages of drawing the wire, and when the resistance of the latter is compara-` tively slight, I place a crank, M, on the end of the shaft'D, with which, by leaving the dog J disengaged, theslack of the wire may be rapidly taken up, and when the resistance of the Wire becomes too great for the single crank M the dog Jis thrown into engagement with the lug H, and the operation completed by the Worm and gear mechanism.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent ofthe United States, 1s

1. In a wire-tightener, the combination of the parts A A2, which form the plate A and have projected ends A3, with the shaft F, journaled in said parts and having Worin-gear E, and the shaft D, journaled in the ends A3, and having the gear O,loosely mounted thereon and provided with a stop, all substantially as shown and described.

2. In combination with plate A, consisting of the part A A2, united as described, and the shalt F, having Wornrgear E, the shaft D,

1 provided With lug H, and the gear C, mounted on said Shaft and hztvng the dog J, and ennaled in parts A3, and having plate D', and 1o gagng with said Worm-gear, substantially as lug II, and the geen1 C on said shaft, provided described. with dog` J, substantialy as set forth.

3. In aWire-tghtener, the Combination, snb- In testimony whereof I affix my signature in stantally as described, of the several partspresence of two Witnesses. viz., the plate A, consisting of parts A A2, WILLIS D. SHERMAN. carrying link B, and having projected ends A, the shaft F, having Worm-gear E, and journaled in parts A A2, the shaft D, jour Vitnesses:

V. S. FERGUSON, J. F. CRISWELL. 

